Colorado State University Vice President for Engagement Lou Swanson visited five Chinese Universities in July. All five universities – Sichuan Agricultural University, Northwest Agricultural & Forestry University, Northeast Agricultural University, Shenyang Agricultural University and China Agricultural University – are members of the China-U.S. University-Based Agricultural Extension Alliance. Additional members of the Alliance include Anhui Agricultural University, Zhejiang University, Nanjing Agricultural University, Huazhong University, and Hunan Agricultural University in China, and Oregon State University, Purdue University, the University of California System, and the University of Nebraska in the U.S. Anhui Agricultural University and Colorado State University are the lead Alliance institutions.

“We had an outstanding visit with our Chinese colleagues,” said Swanson. “Though our time was limited, we saw some of the unique capabilities of each school. Every university has locally oriented programs and individual strengths to share with the other Alliance members.”

During the visit, Lou Swanson and Bridget Julian, director of operations for the Office of Engagement, visited university campuses along with rural agricultural demonstration zones and private industry partnerships.

All the Alliance members will meet at the Northwest Agricultural & Forestry Campus in Yangling in October for the fourth annual International Conference of Modern Agricultural Extension and Technology Transfer.

“U.S. and Chinese agriculture and Extension systems can learn from each other,” said Swanson. “We all want to support our local rural communities with appropriate research and training. We also recognize the opportunity to address worldwide environmental concerns and agricultural efficiency challenges. The Alliance and the upcoming conference is an opportunity to substantively advance our collaboration and shared interests in safe, healthy food systems.”